The World's Most Expensive Portable Plywood Jump - Review

Apr 1, 2017
by Mike Kazimer  
MTB Hopper review

Remember what it was like to stack up pallets and cinder blocks and then huck yourself into oblivion? Or maybe you managed to find a hammer and some nails and created a rickety but endlessly entertaining plywood jump. Well, what if there was a way to replicate that experience, but in a slightly more complicated, and much more expensive way? Enter the MTB Hopper.

MTB Hopper Details
• CNC-machined waterproof plywood
• Zinc plated Protex latches
• Dimensions: 825 x 610 x 100 mm
• Weight: 33 lb
• MSRP: $368 USD / €345
• mtbhopper.com

The MTB Hopper is a portable plywood jump that can be folded up and transported in the back of a car or truck. That vehicle is necessary because, with a total weight of 33 pounds, there's only so far you're going to want to walk while carrying this thing. Folded up, it's about the size of a large suitcase, so it's not that large, but also not something you could easily strap on your back for more remote jump missions.


MTB Hopper review
The MTB Hopper packs down to the size of a large suitcase when it's not in use.
MTB Hopper review
Ready for takeoff.


MTB Hopper review
Metal clasps attach the top sheet to the framework below.
MTB Hopper review
The height can be adjusted to account for uneven ground, or to add a little more kick to the ramp angle.


Assembly

Once the desired jumping zone is reached, a few minutes of assembly are required before you can take flight. It's sort of like assembling those dinosaur skeleton models they sell in natural history museum gift shops, although it does get easier with practice. Six slats of plywood slide into each other to form the basic shape of the jump, and then the folding top sheet is laid over the framework and latched into place.

There are four metal legs that can be adjusted a few inches in either direction to help level out the jump, and to increase or decrease the ramp angle in order to ensure the optimum trajectory. There are also cross-shaped feet that the legs can be stuck into in order to provide more support on wet ground.


MTB Hopper

Performance

Now for the fun part – actually using the MTP Hopper. An empty back alley was located, a crowd of participants and spectators rounded up, and a good old fashioned huck-to-flat contest ensued. The angle of the MTB Hopper is well suited for long distance hits, and after a few practice laps riders were sending it deep into the 30-foot zone. Although there was some skepticism about how sturdy those four metal legs would be, the jump stayed securely in place, without any slipping or sliding on the asphalt. The angle of the ramp can be adjusted a little bit via the metal legs, but you won't be creating a super lippy dirt jump-style takeoff out of it - it's more of a cheese wedge in all configurations.

Once all the shenanigans were complete, packing up the MTB Hopper only took a couple of minutes, and the fact that the top of the ramp faces inwards when it's folded means that dirty tire marks won't rub off on the inside of your vehicle.


MTB Hopper review
Sending it deep.



Pinkbike's Take

bigquotesDoes the MTB Hopper work? Well, after an extended huck-to-flat competition, there's no doubt about it – it performs exactly as advertised. Is it worth $368? If you're the type of person that owns one of everything in the SkyMall catalog, and regularly find yourself looking in your wallet and wondering, “Why do I have so much money?”, then yes, this might be right up your alley. Otherwise, I'd say the DIY route is the way to go. Either way, there's no denying it – take one jump, add some friends, and you have a recipe for a good time. — Mike Kazimer





Posted In:
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139 Comments
  • 325 3
 Can't tell if April fools or serious...
  • 110 2
 It seems ridiculous but I want it
  • 72 0
 The website is pretty convincing too. It even looks like you can go through the buying steps and all. I think this may be real. Pinkbike may have picked to wrong day to review it. I just can't decide for myself if it's real or not. lol
  • 16 0
 @piman:
Yeah, the website seems legit... Terms and conditions and everything.
  • 31 0
 Its is real, been around for a while now
  • 55 0
 @piman: oh it's real and PB picked the perfect day to review it!
  • 24 0
 Even after digging deep in their site, going thru the whole order process, and seeing their FB page has been around for at least a year, I'm still expecting someone to pop out and say "Gotchya!"
  • 6 5
 This is it??? ONE april fools article? I was up till 3 am waiting for somethin and i wake up today for THiS.??
  • 2 0
 @wolf-amongst-lambs: hahaha its real
  • 2 0
 @wolf-amongst-lambs: well it seems like this isn't even an April Fool's joke so I don't know what to tell you. You should check out the VOD though...
  • 12 0
 Mike Kazimer must be laughing his head off right now...
  • 2 0
 @wolf-amongst-lambs: The April Fools post this year is here: www.pinkbike.com/news/introducing-the-transition-petrol-video-2017.html

This one is legit.
  • 1 0
 @brucedenis: and the dakine one
  • 2 0
 @brucedenis: thats better
  • 2 0
 @el-nombre: THAT one should be real!!!
  • 2 0
 @piman: It's legit, my friend has one. It's not that fun though, feels as good as it looks.
  • 3 1
 Just 'cause it's real doesn't mean it's not still a joke. Everyone should own a plywood mini ramp that costs more than the bmx you jump it with
  • 1 1
 @plyawn: Smile
  • 70 1
 Love the MKI golf they're jumping over!
  • 3 2
 Sent that picture to my brother the instant I saw it. That's on of his favorite cars.
  • 4 2
 Isn't it a Rabbit? Had two of those...a '79 and an '80
  • 59 2
 Fun fact: It's about the same price as the ramp
  • 2 1
 So rare to even find now...they rusted from the inside out...
  • 4 2
 @loopie: they were golfs over seas. But you would be correct in calling it a rabbit. Had an 84 gti for a long while. Need to get my tdi 77 Rocco up and running.
  • 3 0
 Cool pre-'80 Rabbit on ATS Cup looking rims. Had 13" ATS's on my '84 Jetta GLI for a while, classic rims. Fun cars, still have mine. They are getting much harder to come by these days and prices have started to shoot up.
  • 1 0
 @loopie: i got a couple rides in that beast a few weeks ago.....
  • 1 0
 @sterlingmagnum: Sweet....those old Rabbits etc ripped...all things considered. I'm all V8 boy now since those days
  • 1 0
 Rabbit was two door and mk1 golf four door eh?
  • 1 0
 @thebigschott: Both of my Rabbits were 4dr
  • 1 0
 @loopie: Yeah, it depended on the market. In Mexico they were called "Caribe". It's not uncommon for some people in Mexico to still mis-call "Caribe" to Golf MK2's (the MK2 was the 1st MK that was called Golf in Mexico).
  • 2 0
 @loopie: I think the US and Canada called it a Rabbit but in Europe we knew it as a Mk1 golf. What was the first car to get the golf name for you lot?
  • 1 0
 @JOHN8LAZE: 1985 golf for us here in the states.
  • 1 0
 @loopie: I dropped a large fry from Maccas in a Rabbit and the next morning they had eaten through body and lay on the ground beneath the Rabbit.
  • 1 0
 Huck to Rabbit!
  • 28 2
 Way too expensive, but damn that gets me excited to go do some jumps like when I was a kid!
  • 13 0
 Does it come with a bike.
  • 5 0
 Yeah man ...I jumped 8 mates and me bro loosened my stem ! Bars came off , still scar on chin ! Hehee the good ole days
  • 9 1
 Stainless hardware...if that ply is what I think it is, it should cost over $100 alone...the design/cutting/cleanup. Could it be done cheaper? yes...but this looks like the quality option. TONS of nice grass tranny's around that we used to haul ramps out to before the snow fully cleared...
  • 3 0
 @loopie: you are correct, the plywood is high quality and square shaped holes are not cheap, but they guarantee grip at any conditions.
  • 1 1
 @loopie: Actually, the hardware is not stainless steel, it is only plaited, according to the article.
  • 22 0
 mate of mine has this almost ready, won few awards for it and comes in cheaper..
jumpack.com
  • 4 0
 Thats pretty dope!
  • 2 0
 That also looks more portable, lighter and like it would last longer.
  • 2 0
 You can't even compare them Smile I would imagine a DH bike hitting jumpack..
  • 12 0
 is he planning to make a enduro-specific kicker?
  • 1 0
 Tell your mate it's an excellent product video!
  • 1 0
 That's cool!
  • 15 0
 Oh wait this is actually real
  • 1 0
 Is it? I haven't figured out where its an AF or not...
  • 1 0
 @bigairbighair: pretty elaborate April Fools when they take your money on the website
  • 10 0
 a little ironic in the last image they are sitting on the 2 things we grew up making jumps out of... and it was free, you left it there, and sketchy as hell....
  • 2 0
 Bricks and 2x8s
  • 6 0
 put yourselves out of the picture for a second, and for the parents that have biking kids a smaller of this would be a good fit, there's lots of kids out there on bikes but not all of them build jumps due to several reasons, but give one of this to your kid and he will be the cool kid on the block
  • 6 1
 Not gonna buy one and not saying anyone else should either but look at the plywood. Probably marine grade. That is expensive shit. The price really isn't that bad considering. For anyone to build something of this caliber on their own would cost nearly as much.
  • 8 0
 Ridiculous! Grab some tools, wood or a shovel and man up! Jeeeeezus!!
  • 5 0
 For real, $80 at home depot and you can build ur own in 2 hours
  • 2 1
 @jibbmaster: I imagine the wood alone would cost twice that
  • 3 0
 @el-nombre: not at all www.youtube.com/watch?v=isYID4l6JKc done by Sam Pilgrim himself
  • 1 0
 @el-nombre: m.pinkbike.com/photo/9188749 I built this 4 years ago at a cost of about $80. Although I'm sure timber prices have increased since then.
  • 1 0
 I'm already thinking how I can copy it.
  • 1 0
 @jibbmaster: not meaning to shit on your jump, it looks pretty good but i was meaning building something with equivalent materials. I've just done some googling in case i was talking out of my arse and a single sheet of decent quality 18mm marine ply is over £100 and i feel like one 2440x1220 sheet is probably not going to be enough unless you nail the template layout
  • 2 0
 @jibbmaster: How do you fold it down to fit on your bike trailer?
  • 1 0
 @choppertank3e: if you have a pickup truck that's not an issue. You need someone to help you load tho
  • 2 0
 @el-nombre: you are right. To build a ramp like the one in the article would cost alot more than $80.
  • 2 0
 @choppertank3e: my ramp doesn't actually fold. I drive a pickup so moving it isn't really an issue. Although if you were to cut it in half and add some hinges, that might make it easier to transport.
  • 2 0
 @jibbmaster: You can stop now I was jealous enough when I thought it was a permanent placement.
  • 7 0
 Not so much the materials but the time and materials combined to make this makes it seem worth the coin
  • 4 0
 Looks like a cool idea. Sure you could build something cheaper but this looks like it has a pretty good and consistent transition. I don't think I like the use of the all thread, but I guess if it's beefy enough it would hold up to the abuse. Get enough of these you could have a suit case jumpline just add a trail to spread them out in.
  • 4 0
 This is one of those situations where the cost is justified in the construction, but does not really make sense from an intended use stand point. The all thread leveling is kinda wank to. When fully extended those look bendy.
  • 2 0
 I've been looking for a product like this for a long time. As a downhill and Enduro racer I have nothing nearby to practice jumps on so things always get sketchy at races. A portable product like this would really help me develop muscle memory for liftoffs.
  • 1 0
 Check out Jumpack.com
  • 5 0
 huck to flats all day err'day
  • 3 0
 I'm putting in overtime at work to get one for my kids. My butt still hurts from that old plywood and brick ramp that slid out the moment I hit it!
  • 4 0
 That was an awesome review. "Do you look at your wallet and wonder why do I have so much money?"
  • 1 0
 I bought one and is perfect!!! Just perfect!
It is totally waterproof and very easy to transport in the trunk.
I can drive anywhere, assembly it and start improving my jump technique, mainly because I can simulate so many kind of jumps.
The last experience was using it as a landing zone for a nasty (wall) drop and it took the hit with ease- since I was on my Summum DH rig with my body weight of over 160 pounds ????????????????
  • 4 0
 bricks and a plank of is what I used, with no helmet and a crapy BMX
  • 5 2
 Land on your head much..
  • 3 0
 @Earthmotherfu: did fall off a couple of times but never my head. This was early 80s though so helmets were not worn much
  • 4 0
 You know you only need that one friend to buy it.
  • 4 0
 For that price should have titanium bolts
  • 5 1
 Can't tell if....
  • 1 0
 Looking at this though. How good would a nylon plastic foldable hucker be? It could be alot thinner - open up some fun new lines.
  • 5 0
 jumpack.com
  • 3 1
 Ahh things like this makes me happy I live where I live Squamishlife !!!!
  • 1 0
 I'm OCD, I'd sand, stain + coat mine with a durable clear urethane finish. Then attach strips of 5/10 Stealth rubber to the center of the ramp for extra grip!
  • 5 0
 thats not what ocd is
  • 1 0
 Nice, but I'll wait for the carbon version featuring Fox Racing's adjustable hydraulic pitch control and Di2 wireless handlebar remote.
  • 1 0
 April Fools on Pinkbike and all we got is this. A real dentist plywood jump. There have been better years for being fooled properly.
  • 2 0
 Sell this design to IKEA! Then will be available world wide! How do you day "huck to flat" in Swedish?
  • 1 0
 I heard there's these jumps called dirt jumps that can be shaped and reshape infinitely to whatever style and purpose your heart desires. And apparently there free?
  • 4 3
 they are really stepping up with the April fool's jokes. It makes you doubt for a moment
  • 1 0
 Not an April Fools joke haha check out Gorizzly.com (one of the ramp decals)
  • 2 0
 I used to build small ramps to take all over town for under $30.
  • 1 0
 i went through the buying process and it was all legit but i'll never know for sure because i never bought it
  • 2 0
 Four hundred bucks, screw that cinder blocks and plywood are much cheaper.
  • 2 0
 April 1st is by far my favorite day on PB
  • 2 0
 reminds me of that trail shovel review
  • 2 0
 Do they do quarter pipes, too?
  • 2 0
 Can I ride my scooter on it??
  • 2 0
 April fools,it only costs $100.
No?
Dang.
  • 1 0
 Jumping to Flat isn't that something the neighborhood kids do before they're able to make it to the trail.
  • 2 0
 In the last photo those pallets are mugging the Hopper so hard.
  • 2 0
 Accidentally just bought 4. I don't think this is an April fools.
  • 1 0
 If the price was reasonable for plywood ramp. I'd buy one. Will wait for the price to come down. Or a cheaper copy.
  • 1 0
 Please, have a look to our trailer-kicker, what do you think about it??
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooKaRzWzr98
  • 1 0
 Debería ser metálica para una mayor duración.
  • 3 2
 waste of money in my opinion id rather spend that on kit
  • 3 5
 Posting a review of real product on 1 April isn't so professional... About the cost: if you go to buy only the wood you will spend about 80€. How much is for your work? are you sure of the measures? and the result?
  • 1 0
 Thats kind of an issue... Its made from quite expensive materials and designed to require lots of extra work. You could build aluminium one with a real curve and longer life with about the same price or less.
  • 1 0
 Expensive and not made of carbon? Something is wrong.
  • 2 1
 Needs something on the "legs" so you can use in dirt without it sinking.
  • 1 0
 Will probably be used for photo sessions, with the jump out of the view.
  • 2 1
 lol its a piece of junk... those studs will bend pretty quick.
  • 1 0
 Way to send'er, Samsquatch!!
  • 1 0
 That's awesome!!! Nothing like a good huck to flat!
  • 1 0
 Love it this is behind the Kona store.
  • 1 0
 Just wait for the Ikea 'flat pack' huck ramp....
  • 1 0
 The only thing I want in this video is the Rabbit.
  • 1 0
 Screw the plywood, I want that '80s-vintage Rabbit with the shark face
  • 1 0
 collapsible portable halfpipe - make it so
  • 1 0
 Lol!
  • 3 3
 Does it come in Carbon instead of this cheap plastic crap?
  • 4 0
 Better yet it's plywood!
  • 3 0
 Yeah, but carbon version is 1449$
  • 1 0
 Why not real?
  • 1 0
 Birry Rewis!
  • 1 1
 How do you not nose dive at the end of the ramp?
  • 1 2
 Has anyone seen this?

youtu.be/V6G7JXUw9oE

Will be in stores world wide in a couple of months ????
  • 1 0
 Haha
  • 7 7
 April fooooools
  • 8 1
 If it wasn't for the price-tag, I would believe you, it's just too MTB to NOT be true!
  • 2 0
 check their website ..
  • 1 0
 @vl95:

s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/5d/16/56/5d1656ffe0835013b05be7cba03afb9d.jpg





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